Air cooler

ABSTRACT

An air cooling system includes an intake line, a heat exchanger, an exhaust line, and an amount of frozen carbon dioxide. The intake line connects the heat exchanger to an air source, and the exhaust line connects the heat exchanger to an air destination. The frozen carbon dioxide is disposed against at least a portion of the heat exchanger to draw heat away from the air. Optionally, a system can include dual heat exchangers connected via a bridge line, with the frozen carbon dioxide being disposed there between.

This application claims priority to Provisional Application 61/067132filed Feb. 25, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to air coolers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid and gaseous fuels can be used in conjunction with internalcombustion engines. An internal combustion engine can rely upon thecombustion of fuel and an oxidizer (e.g., air), which occurs in acombustion chamber. The resulting exothermic reaction results in gasesat high temperatures, which are permitted to expand. Useful work iscreated by this reaction. The expanding hot gases directly causemovement of solid engine parts, such as pistons or rotors, ultimatelyproducing utilizable work.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an aircooling system. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can beembodied in an air cooling system that includes the following: an intakeline, connected to an air source, and for carrying the air from the airsource; a heat exchanger, having an exterior surface, and beingconnected to the intake line; an exhaust line, connected to the heatexchanger, and for carrying the air away from the heat exchanger to anair destination; and an amount of frozen carbon dioxide disposed againstat least a portion of the exterior surface of the heat exchanger totransfer heat away from the air.

The following, independently or in combination (two or more thereof),are additional exemplary embodiments or optional aspects of the presentinvention: the system can further include a housing having a lid, anintake aperture, and an exhaust aperture; wherein the housing surroundsthe heat exchanger and the amount of frozen carbon dioxide, the intakeline connects to the heat exchanger via the intake aperture, the exhaustline connects to said heat exchanger via the exhaust aperture, and thelid is closely openable to receive the amount of frozen carbon dioxide;the housing can be substantially air-tight and the housing can include avalve for releasing air pressure from within the housing; the valve canrelease at least a portion of the air-pressure from within the housingif the air-pressure exceeds a predetermined amount; the housing canfurther surround at least one holding element that limits the amount offrozen carbon dioxide from moving in at least one direction; the atleast one holding element can be formed, at least in part, from a foammaterial; the heat exchanger can include a plurality of fins, and theamount of frozen carbon dioxide can be disposed against at least one ofthe plurality of fins; and the air destination can be a combustionchamber.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be embodiedin an air cooling system that includes an intake line, connected to anair source, and for carrying the air from the source; a first heatexchanger, having a first heat exchanger exterior surface, and beingconnected to the intake line; a second heat exchanger, having a secondheat exchanger exterior surface, and being connected to the first heatexchanger via a bridge line; an exhaust line, connected to the secondheat exchanger, and for carrying the air away from the second heatexchanger to an air destination; and an amount of frozen carbon dioxidedisposed against at least a portion of the first heat exchanger exteriorsurface and at least a portion of the second heat exchanger exteriorsurface to transfer heat away from the air.

The following, independently or in combination (two or more thereof),are additional exemplary embodiments or optional aspects of the presentinvention: the system can further include a housing having a lid, anintake aperture, and an exhaust aperture; wherein the housing surroundsthe first and second heat exchangers and the amount of frozen carbondioxide, the intake line connects to the heat exchanger via the intakeaperture, the exhaust line connects to said second heat exchanger viathe exhaust aperture, and the lid is openable to receive the amount offrozen carbon dioxide; the housing can be substantially air-tight andthe housing can include a valve for releasing air pressure from withinthe housing; the valve can release at least a portion of theair-pressure from within the housing if the air-pressure exceeds apredetermined amount; the housing can further surround at least oneholding element that limits the amount of frozen carbon dioxide frommoving in at least one direction; the at least one holding element canbe formed, at least in part, from a foam material; the first and/orsecond heat exchangers can include a plurality of fins, and the amountof frozen carbon dioxide can be disposed against at least one of theplurality of fins; the air destination can be a combustion chamber; andthe bridge line can be formed of a flexible material to allow a distancebetween said first and second heat exchanger to shorten as said amountof frozen carbon dioxide sublimates.

Further, the present invention can be embodied in complementary methodsof cooling air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not inlimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, inwhich an air cooling system includes an intake line, a heat exchanger,an amount of frozen carbon dioxide, and an exhaust line.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary aspect of the present invention, inwhich an air cooling system can include a housing having an openablelid.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, inwhich a housing, having an optional pressure-release valve, surrounds aheat exchanger, an amount of frozen carbon dioxide, and holding elementssecuring the frozen carbon dioxide.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which an air cooling system includes an intake line, afirst heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an amount of frozendioxide against the first and second heat exchangers, and an exhaustline.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which a housing, having an optional pressure-releasevalve, surrounds a heat exchanger, an amount of frozen carbon dioxide,and holding element securing the frozen carbon dioxide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of examplewith reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. Itshould be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are onlypresented by way of example and should not be constructed as limitingthe inventive concept to any particular physical configuration or order.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, inwhich an air cooling system includes an intake line 110, a heatexchanger 120, an amount of frozen carbon dioxide 130, and an exhaustline 140.

As shown in FIG. 1, intake line 110 is connected to air source 150, andits function is to carry air (not shown) from the air source to heatexchanger 120.

Heat exchanger 120, which has an exterior surface 121, receives the airfrom air source 150 via intake line 110, and provides heat transfer fromthe air (as it flows through the heat exchanger) to at least a portionof the exterior surface of the heat exchanger.

An amount of frozen carbon dioxide 120 is disposed against at least aportion of the exterior surface 121, such that it absorbs heattransferred from the air. In an exemplary aspect, heat exchanger 120 canbe a radiator, and can have at least one fin (not shown) to increase thesurface area of exterior surface 121. Frozen carbon dioxide 130sublimates as heat is transferred from the air to the frozen carbondioxide. In another exemplary aspect, heat exchanger 120 can include aplurality of fins (not shown) against which frozen carbon dioxide 130can be disposed. During the sublimation process, it has been observedthat frozen carbon dioxide tends to sublimate towards the fins,resulting in frozen portions existing between fins (in other words, thefins “melting” their way into the frozen carbon dioxide). This resultprovides a benefit of having the frozen carbon dioxide being held inplace during sublimation and the cooling of air.

Exhaust line 140 is connected to heat exchanger 120 and an airdestination 160, and its function is to channel the cooled air from theheat exchanger to the air destination.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the invention, inwhich an air cooling system 200 can include a housing 270 that surroundsheat exchanger 220 and frozen carbon dioxide 230. In an exemplaryaspect, housing 270 can provide an insulating function, so as to reducethe transfer of heat from sources other than air via heat exchanger 220.An insulating characteristic of housing 270 can be achieved, forexample, via the material (for example, the type, thickness, etc.) fromwhich the housing is formed and/or an air-tight (or substantiallyair-tight) design of the housing. In one exemplary embodiment, housing270 can be formed from plastic, such as a high-density polyethylene, forexample and not in limitation. Housing 270 can be from any suitablematerial desired, similarly, can be shaped in any suitable mannerdesired.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, housing 270 can beat least substantially air-tight and include a valve 280 for releasingair pressure that builds up as frozen carbon dioxide 230 sublimates.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional exemplary aspect of the presentinvention, in which housing 370 can include a lid 375 through whichfrozen carbon dioxide can be added. As illustrated, intake line 310 andexhaust line 340 can enter housing 370 through an intake aperture (notshown) and an exhaust aperture 371, respectively.

In use, lid 375 can be opened so frozen carbon dioxide can added, andsubsequently closed to provide at least a substantially air-tight seal.The at least substantially air-tight seal can be achieved via physicaldesign of housing 370 and lid 375 and/or inclusion of one or moregaskets (not shown) or other insulating material desired. Lid 375 can beattached to housing 370 in any suitable manner desired, for example andnot in limitation, by way of one or more hinges and/or clasps. Notably,housing 370 and lid 375 can be any shape or size desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, an air cooling system includes an intake line410, a first heat exchanger 420, a second heat exchanger 425, an amountof frozen carbon dioxide 430, and an exhaust line 440. First and secondheat exchangers 420, 425 are connected via bridge line 428.

As illustrated, frozen carbon dioxide 430 is disposed between first heatexchanger 420 and second heat exchanger 425, such that at least aportion of each exterior surface 421, 426 are in contact with the frozencarbon dioxide, and therefore, both exchangers effectuate cooling of theair. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, bridge line 428 can beformed of a flexible material so as to allow the distance between theexchangers 420, 425 to increase to allow placement of frozen carbondioxide 430 there between, as well as to allow the distance to decreaseas frozen carbon dioxide sublimates. In an exemplary aspect of theinvention, with a dual exchanger 420, 425 configuration, frozen carbondioxide 430 can be held in place by the exchangers during sublimation.And as noted above, as the frozen carbon dioxide sublimates, thedistance between the exchangers decreases. A decrease in distance can becaused by one or more of the following: the sublimation process, theforce of gravity, or a mechanically created force, such as one via aspring or an amount of foam, for example and not in limitation.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a dual exchanger 520, 525 configuration canalso optionally include a housing 570, and further optionally include avalve 580, similarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Alsooptionally, one or more holding elements 535 may be included to preventthe frozen carbon dioxide 530 from moving in at least one direction.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the manner of makingand using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in theabove-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects takentogether with the drawings.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarilylimited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, andcomponents shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerousvariations within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative andenabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.

Therefore, it will be understood that the above description of theembodiments of the present invention are susceptible to variousmodifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appendedclaims.

1. An air cooling system, said system comprising: an intake lineconnected to an air source, said intake line for carrying the air fromthe air source; a heat exchanger having an exterior surface, said heatexchanger being connected to said intake line; an exhaust line connectedto said heat exchanger, said exhaust line for carrying the air away fromsaid heat exchanger to an air destination; and an amount of frozencarbon dioxide disposed against at least a portion of the exteriorsurface of said heat exchanger to transfer heat away from the air. 2.The system of claim 1, said system further comprising: a housing havinga lid, an intake aperture, and an exhaust aperture; wherein said housingsurrounds said heat exchanger and said amount of frozen carbon dioxide,said intake line connects to said heat exchanger via the intakeaperture, said exhaust line connects to said heat exchanger via theexhaust aperture, and the lid is closely openable to receive said amountof frozen carbon dioxide.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said housingis at least substantially air-tight and said housing includes a valvefor releasing air pressure from within said housing.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the valve releases at least a portion of the airpressure from within said housing if the air pressure exceeds apredetermined amount.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein said housingfurther surrounds at least one holding element that limits said amountof frozen carbon dioxide from moving in at least one direction.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the at least one holding element is formed,at least in part, from a foam material.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein said heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins, and saidamount of frozen carbon dioxide is disposed against at least one of theplurality of fins.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the destination isa combustion chamber.
 9. An air cooling system, said system comprising:an intake line connected to an air source, said intake line for carryingair from the air source; a first heat exchanger having a first heatexchanger exterior surface, said first heat exchanger being connected tosaid intake line; a second heat exchanger having a second heat exchangerexterior surface, said second heat exchanger being connected to saidfirst heat exchanger via a bridge line; an exhaust line connected tosaid second heat exchanger, said exhaust line for carrying the air awayfrom said second heat exchanger to an air destination; and an amount offrozen carbon dioxide disposed against at least a portion of the firstheat exchanger exterior surface and at least a portion of the secondheat exchanger exterior surface to transfer heat away from the air. 10.The system of claim 9, said system further comprising: a housing havinga lid, an intake aperture and an exhaust aperture; wherein said housingsurrounds said first and second heat exchangers and said amount offrozen carbon dioxide, said intake line connects to said first heatexchanger via the intake aperture, said exhaust line connects to saidsecond heat exchanger via the exhaust aperture, and the lid is closelyopenable to receive said amount of frozen carbon dioxide.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein said housing is at least substantially air-tightand said housing includes a valve for releasing air pressure from withinsaid housing.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the valve releases atleast a portion of the air pressure from within said housing if the airpressure exceeds a predetermined amount.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein said housing further surrounds at least one holding element thatlimits said amount of frozen carbon dioxide from moving in at least onedirection.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one holdingelement is formed, at least in part, from a foam material.
 15. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein at least one of said first heat exchanger andsaid second heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins, and said amountof frozen carbon dioxide is disposed against at least one of theplurality of fins.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the destination isa combustion chamber.
 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the bridge lineis formed of a flexible material to allow a distance between said firstand second heat exchangers to shorten as amount of frozen carbon dioxidesublimates.